JOURNEY TO INDONESIA’S HOLY CITY: KUDUS CITY SQUARE AS THE EPICENTER FOR FOLKLORE STREET ART AND CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

Abstract

This research explores the use of mural art in Kudus City, Indonesia, to deliver different perspectives of Hindu and Islamic versions of the construction story of Kudus Tower. The city, with its rich history and culture, implanted it in local folklore. The study aims to understand the differences in these stories, assess the impact of murals on locals and tourists' understanding of the city's history, and determine the suitability of Kudus City Square as the mural installation. Drawing insights from literature on creative placemaking, the research emphasizes community involvement, collaboration, and evaluation methods. Books like "The City Creative" by Carriere provide a principle for understanding how creative placemaking transforms urban spaces. Moreover, the study integrates alternative approaches like Street Art Hunting and considers historical context from sources like "Kudus, Kota Suci di Jawa" by Ashadi and local mural initiatives. The methodology involves a literature review, historical analysis, a comparative study between conventional and unconventional placemaking, and 'space syntax' method to assess Kudus City Square's suitability for mural installation. The results confirm the city square as an ideal location, validating mural art's potential to engage the community and tourists, promoting deeper understanding of Kudus City's cultural heritage.